It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
